By Emily Harrington
We aren’t really a soccer family. My husband insists balls are meant to be caught with your hands. But it still seems like a rite of passage (and really darn cute) for little boys and girls to run aimlessly around a soccer field at some point in their youth.
Even if you aren’t a “soccer family” there are other opportunities for your kiddos at an awesome 24,500-square-foot facility in Urbana called Soccer Planet. You won’t know it’s there unless you are looking for it. (I don’t know how I managed before I had a GPS.) Running alongside I-74 in Urbana lives an industrial area with many expansive buildings; one of them is Soccer Planet at 2310 N. Willow Rd. The building opened in October 2011. It feels very new, too. It’s clean and bright with modern bathrooms.
We took the opportunity to explore the facility on a rainy Monday morning for their Kids in Action playgroup. The group runs every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. (Before you go, check to see if you need to fill out a waiver.) The turf field (which is soft and squishy) is transformed into an indoor playground with balls, toys, slides, soccer nets and a makeshift fort. Kids younger than 6 are welcome to participate.
A clear enclosure runs around the field keeping your little one safe and within your reach — without them feeling caged. This enclosure provides more security and more time for relaxed chatting with other playgroup parents. Bleachers and tables also run the length of the field so you can easily have a snack, or bring a packed lunch for after playgroup. If you forgot food, there is a snack bar attached to the front desk with the essentials.
For $4 ($10 for a family) my son was able to burn off steam by running in this huge space. There were about 25 kids there which is the average amount for the playgroup. There was plenty for all to do and plenty of space to do it in.
Kids enrolled in Lil’ Kickers (the youngest of the soccer classes available here) can participate in the playgroup for free. Speaking of organized soccer classes, there are a lot of options to choose from for virtually any age group.
The facility also hosts baseball, softball, lacrosse and football training as well as adult soccer leagues, private and semi-private sport instruction, summer and holiday camps and maybe most importantly — birthday party options.
For a small annual fee you can become a member, too. The membership gives your family special benefits like camp discounts, reduced rates for rentals, special promotions and priority registration.
Soccer Planet is just another reason our community is so family friendly. Whether it’s playgroup participation or organized classes, visit this sports haven where kids can nurture their budding athleticism.
Emily Harrington is a Chambana townie that left her 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job to be a 24/7 mom to a dreamy son. Still interested in writing, Emily uses some of naptime to practice her passion and keep her mind right. Emily is a happy wife with a happy life, because she fell for a fellow townie. Oh, and let’s not forget her other son—a degenerate canine named Heppenheimer.